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Noah Spence | Defensive Lineman

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Eastern Kentucky DE Noah Spence has "flash talent on the tape, but off-field concerns could make the tape irrelevant if he doesn't mature," according to NFL Media draft analyst Lance Zierlein.

The Ohio State transfer, dismissed from the Buckeyes for failing drug tests, was arrested in May and charged with public intoxication and second-degree disorderly conduct. Spence, a former five-star recruit, had a third- to fifth-round draft projection over the winter. We'd probably have advised him to settle for that, but Spence instead decided to transfer to EKU to rehab his stock. He's running out of chances. Jul 19 - 5:37 PM

Eastern Kentucky DE Noah Spence, an Ohio State transfer, was arrested on Thursday morning and charged with alcohol intoxication in a public place and second-degree disorderly conduct.

Spence apparently threw a glass bottle that broke across a roadway, according to an officer who approached the football player. Spence admitted to the action, was arrested for the charges and later released. EKU released a statement saying they will handle the matter internally. Spence was dismissed from OSU for failing drug tests. May 28 - 3:53 PM

Former Ohio State junior DE Noah Spence is transferring to Eastern Kentucky, his father confirmed to ESPN.

Because the Colonels are a Football Championship Subdivision program, Spence will be eligible to play immediately. That's important because he wants to begin an NFL career posthaste. Spence could have accepted his third- to fifth-round pick projection and opted into the draft, but a huge 2015 season will propel him into Day 2 or Round 1 (TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline graded Spence as a Rds. 1-2 prospect over the summer). The former five-star posted recorded eight sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss in 2013. Spence was dismissed from Ohio State for multiple failed drug tests. The Big Ten declared him permanently ineligible prior to the 2014 season. Jan 20 - 10:12 PM

Former Ohio State junior DE Noah Spence will not enter the NFL draft and instead will transfer to Eastern Kentucky, according to John Owning.

Spence previously stated he was entering the draft, however, something changed. He was dismissed from Ohio State multiple times for multiple failed drug tests and the Big Ten declared him permanently ineligible prior to the 2014 season. EKU is in the FCS, so he is eligible to play immediately. Jan 19 - 4:40 PM

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Eastern Kentucky DE Noah Spence, an Ohio State transfer, was arrested on Thursday morning and charged with alcohol intoxication in a public place and second-degree disorderly conduct.

Spence apparently threw a glass bottle that broke across a roadway, according to an officer who approached the football player. Spence admitted to the action, was arrested for the charges and later released. EKU released a statement saying they will handle the matter internally. Spence was dismissed from OSU for failing drug tests.

Former Ohio State junior DE Noah Spence is transferring to Eastern Kentucky, his father confirmed to ESPN.

Because the Colonels are a Football Championship Subdivision program, Spence will be eligible to play immediately. That's important because he wants to begin an NFL career posthaste. Spence could have accepted his third- to fifth-round pick projection and opted into the draft, but a huge 2015 season will propel him into Day 2 or Round 1 (TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline graded Spence as a Rds. 1-2 prospect over the summer). The former five-star posted recorded eight sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss in 2013. Spence was dismissed from Ohio State for multiple failed drug tests. The Big Ten declared him permanently ineligible prior to the 2014 season.

Former Ohio State junior DE Noah Spence will not enter the NFL draft and instead will transfer to Eastern Kentucky, according to John Owning.

Spence previously stated he was entering the draft, however, something changed. He was dismissed from Ohio State multiple times for multiple failed drug tests and the Big Ten declared him permanently ineligible prior to the 2014 season. EKU is in the FCS, so he is eligible to play immediately.

Former Ohio State junior DE Noah Spence will declare for the 2015 NFL Draft, according to his social media account.

"Not what I wanted but now it's time to get ready for the next level, I've learnt so much in the last couple months that it's all worth it," Spence tweeted after being told the Big Ten declared him permanently ineligible. Theoretically, Spence could have dropped down to the FCS for one season and continued playing at the college level, but he is NFL bound. He generated a good amount of buzz when on the field. He was reportedly suspended multiple times for failed drug tests, which led to the ban.

Spence failed a second drug test earlier this season, putting him in jeopardy for this ruling (The Big Ten handbook states that a student athlete who fails a second drug test "shall be declared permanently ineligible for all further intercollegiate competition in all sports."). Ohio State helped him through the appeals process, which culminated in today's ruling. "While we are disappointed in the outcome, we are pleased that Noah has come a long way and we are very proud of the progress he has made with regard to his health," Ohio State Athletics Director Gene Smith said. Spence tweeted, "Now it's time to get ready for the next level," so expect him to declare for the spring draft. TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline graded Spence as a Rds. 1-2 prospect over the summer, though the defender's failed drug tests and lost season figure to knock him further down the board.

While he awaits verdict on his appeal of a second positive drug test, Ohio State junior DE Noah Spence is no longer participating in team activities.

Spence briefly returned to practices last week. This reverse is course doesn't affect his status with the Buckeyes, who have chosen not to dismiss the talented prospect. "He's not going to practice now," OSU HC Urban Meyer said. "That was just last week. He's not practicing, getting full-time treatment and working out just for his well-being. What is a zero tolerance [policy] when an addiction has set in or whatever? The decision, when you harm yourself or harm your team, we wrestle with those all the time. I've been criticized for many, many years about how I treat these guys. I treat them like they're my kid, and I'm not a big fan of dismissal. I don't try to do that very often. It's got to be a severe one where you're hurting someone else."

Ohio State junior DE Noah Spence is still practicing with the team despite his indefinite suspension.

"Yeah, he actually practiced today," Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer said. "He's doing things to get healthy, but he's also -- you know, we're supporting him." Spence was suspended for the school's bowl game as well as the first two games of 2014 after testing positive for ecstasy back in January. He was set to return last weekend but failed another drug test, leading to a suspension of indeterminate length. ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg recently reported that it's a "long shot" Spence will be cleared to return. "You know, the only comment I'll make on the whole situation is that it's a tough deal for Noah and his family and we're going to support him the best we can throughout the situation," co-defensive coordinator Chris Ash said Saturday. "If he gets an opportunity to play football again one day, great. But we're here to help him receive the help that he needs."

Ohio State is "preparing to move forward" as if they won't get Ohio State junior DE Noah Spence back for the remainder of the season, reports CBS Sports' Dane Brugler.

Spence, who was set to return over the weekend from suspension, failed a second drug test. He first failed a drug test for ecstasy back in January. "We are hopeful that Noah can get healthy and, at some point, resume his career with the Buckeyes," Spence's parents said in a statement to the Columbus Dispatch. "We are uncertain how long he will be ineligible, but we will work with Ohio State and the Big Ten until we have a final resolution." The Big Ten handbook states that a student athlete who fails a second drug test "shall be declared permanently ineligible for all further intercollegiate competition in all sports."

Ohio State junior DE Noah Spence, who was set to return this week from suspension, has failed a second drug test and will not be eligible to play against Kent State.

Spence's last failed drug test, which was for ecstasy, dates back to January, and the three game ban was set to end this week. "We are uncertain how long he will be ineligible, but we will work with Ohio State and the Big Ten until we have a final resolution," Spence's family said in a statement. The Big Ten handbook states that a student athlete who fails a second drug test "shall be declared permanently ineligible for all further intercollegiate competition in all sports."

Due to a failed drug test, the 6-foot-3, 252-pounder (4.68 forty) was suspended for the Orange Bowl and the first two games of this season. "Spence, who appears in my first round mock draft, is a slippery rusher in space with lateral quickness and fluid body control to put consistent pressure on the pocket," CBS Sports' Dane Brugler wrote. "He has the potential to be a double-digit sack artist for Ohio State and should help free up Joey Bosa on the other side to get more shots at the quarterback as well." TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline graded Spence as a Rds. 1-2 prospect last month.

As a reminder, Ohio State junior DE Noah Spence will miss the school's first two games against Navy and Virginia Tech due to a suspension.

Eleven Warriors reminded us of the news, and after the Braxton Miller/J.T. Barrett announcements it was necessary. Spence missed last winter's Orange Bowl due to a positive drug test. Steve Miller and Rashad Frazier are the likeliest replacements, but head coach Urban Meyer also mentioned Jalyn Holmes as a possibility.

Pauline graded Spence as a Rds. 1-2 prospect. "Spence is a long, athletic pass rusher who primarily comes out of a three point stance but also looks good off the line of scrimmage playing in space," the expert wrote. "He’ll miss the first two games this season with suspension but has tremendous upside and could develop into a first round pick." The 6-foot-3, 247-pound Spence led the Buckeyes in sacks in his first year as a starter in 2013, racking up 52 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks in 12 starts. The Buckeyes prospect received a three-game suspension after testing positive for ecstasy late last season; he served the first game of that suspension by sitting out the Orange Bowl.

The 6-foot-3, 247-pound Spence led the Buckeyes in sacks in his first year as a starter in 2013, while racking up 52 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks in 12 starts. We're still awaiting Pauline's Big 10 prospect analysis (he's only published grades to date), but CBS Sports' Dane Brugler wrote recently that Spence "needs to improve his functional strength, play with more of a mean streak and keep his nose clean, but Spence is a slippery rusher with the lateral quicks and low pad level to be an impact pass rusher in the NFL."

CBS Sports' Dane Brugler believes Ohio State junior DE Noah Spence "is a slippery rusher" that can make an "impact" as a pass rusher at the next level.

"He needs to improve his functional strength, play with more of a mean streak and keep his nose clean, but Spence is a slippery rusher with the lateral quicks and low pad level to be an impact pass rusher in the NFL," Brugler wrote. The 6-foot-3, 247 pound Spence led the Buckeyes in sacks in his first year as a starter in 2013, while racking up 52 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks in 12 starts. The Buckeyes prospect received a three-game suspension after testing positive for ecstasy late last season. Spence was forced to sit out of the Orange Bowl last season and will miss the first two games this season.